Increase In Number of Females Abusing Drugs “Worrisome” – NDLEA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Yobe has described as ‘worrisome’ the increase in number of females abusing drugs in the state.

Commander of the agency in the state, Apeh Reuben, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu on Monday that young girls between the ages of 15 and 35 were increasingly involved in drugs consumption and abuse.

“Some of the females consume and abuse multiple drugs, especially Tramadol, Amphetamine and Cannabis,” he said.

He called for partnership with Yobe government to curtail the ugly trend in the interest of the individuals and the state.

“This will have devastating consequences on the future of the state if adequate measures are not taken at the right time” he warned.

Speaking on the constraints of his agency in the state, Reuben said inadequacy of vehicles and accommodation for addicts being counseled were their major challenges.

He said the addicts were being accommodated in rented apartments, stressing that ensuring the welfare of such people is paramount.

Reuben said in spite of the challenges, his command was doing its best, adding that last year, no fewer than 98 drug dependent persons had been counseled.

According to him, the agency is taking the campaign against drug abuse to schools in line with this year’s theme of the international day against drug abuse, which was celebrated on June 23.

“The theme, tagged ‘Listen First to the children’ is the first step to assist children and youth grow healthy and safe from drug abuse.

Recently Senator Gbenga Ashafa also raised the alarm over the number of youths now hooked on various types of drugs and cough syrups.

In an interview, Ashafa said that it was worrisome that girls were now matching boys in abusing drugs.

The senator went on to say that if nothing was done to check the spate of drug abuse among youths, there might be no sane youths left to employ when the Federal Government eventually solved the problem of unemployment.

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Are they self medicating? They using it for period cramps? Psychological problems like PTSD? Sickle Cell crisis? Glaucoma those are legitimate illnesses Cannabis helps most medication are made from extracting main ingredient in it and in a country with no good healthcare alternative for even the president them going back to natural herbs I won’t call that abuse. Now for recreational use to indulge hallucinogenic effects only then you can call that abuse and using over prescribed amount without symptomatic reason also abuse.

For cannabis use, in Nigeria, people who abuse this plant and use it as a psychoactive drug do not mostly for managing any illness. They light it up to smoke! It is not the same as extracting cannabis oil or eating it. Drug abuse in Nigeria has become a manace. There is an urgent need to address it now!